Pete Carroll emphasizes 'new energy' with Seahawks coaching changes

Seattle Seahawks coach Pete Carroll held his first press conference of the offseason from the NFL Scouting Combine in Indianapolis on Thursday. He addressed the flurry of coaching changes that have occurred since the end of the 2017 season, and his excitement surrounding the fresh faces who are joining the Seahawks this year.

“I’m really excited about the guys that are here and how it is working out so far and seeing the new energy,” Carroll said in reference to Seattle’s new assistant coaches. “I’m energized by it, the whole group is, and we look forward to how it’s going to turn out.”

“It was difficult to make those choices,” Carroll said. “We had done so much together and had so much fun working together. But we felt that it was time. It really comes back to competing and finding ways to get a little bit better. That’s why we made those choices.”

While Carroll acknowledged how difficult it was to let go of Bevell and Richard, he has shown a ton of excitement over their replacements.

“I was really impressed with his overall command and his ability to see things from a different perspective, which will be really exciting for us and will be good for Russ’ development,” Carroll said of new offensive coordinator Brian Schottenheimer. “I think he’s going to be really good.”

Switching to the defensive side of the ball, Carroll is pleased to bring back new defensive coordinator Ken Norton Jr. Norton was with Carroll at USC from 2004-2009 and with Seattle from 2010-2014. Norton had just accepted a position with the San Francisco 49ers when the Seahawks lured him away into the defensive coordinator position in Seattle.

“The opportunity to get Kenny back in the program – he’s just a remarkable individual,” Carroll said. “The energy and leadership and juice that he brings is a rare opportunity.”

Lastly, Carroll addressed a question that has been on the mind of many Seahawks fans in the midst of all these coaching changes: Will the identity of the team change?

“We are not going to change our approach to the game in general, but I think we can see things differently,” Carroll explained. “Every year is a dynamic opportunity to do things a new way and a better way. Every year is loaded with changes. We’re forced to adapt and see if we are getting better.